Supply Chain & ProductionDeclining

Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Q: What is the salary of a Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?

The typical salary range is $34,650 - $69,300 per year.

Operational-level

Also known as: Absorber Operator, Absorption Operator, Acetone Recovery Worker, Acetylene Plant Operator

Supply Chain & ProductionBachelor's Degree

Job Description

Set up, operate, or tend continuous flow or vat-type equipment; filter presses; shaker screens; centrifuges; condenser tubes; precipitating, fermenting, or evaporating tanks; scrubbing towers; or batch stills. These machines extract, sort, or separate liquids, gases, or solids from other materials to recover a refined product. Includes dairy processing equipment operators.

Process OperationsChemical ProcessingIndustrial FiltrationMaterial SeparationManufacturingChemical EngineeringProduction OperationsSkilled TradeProduction

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

Hot technologies

Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word SAP software

In-demand software

Microsoft Office software

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Projected growth

-5.7%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

5,200

per year (US)

Jobs today

61,400

in 2025 → 57,900 (2035)

Typical entry education

High school diploma or equivalent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook.

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication

Moderate

Working in a team

High

Contact with others

High

Freedom to make decisions

Moderate

Time pressure

High

Time spent sitting

Low

Working outdoors

Moderate

Indoor, climate-controlled

High

Dealing with customers

Moderate

Level of competition

Moderate

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Declining Job Market

This field is experiencing contraction with decreasing job opportunities. Consider developing skills in related growing fields.

Career ladder

Often before this role

Opérateur de production
Manutentionnaire
Assembleur

Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Where it can lead

Technicien de processus
Technicien de maintenance
Superviseur de production

Impact of AI on this Job

AI will increasingly automate routine monitoring and adjustments of separating and filtering equipment, improving efficiency and reducing human error. Operators will shift towards overseeing automated systems, performing maintenance, and managing complex diagnostics, requiring a stronger understanding of data analysis and system integration.

Salary

$51,610

Median annual wage, BLS 2025

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum educational requirement for this position